The easiest way to get around Doha by public transport is the Doha Metro, backed up by free Metrolink feeder buses for the last few kilometres and Karwa taxis or ride-hailing apps for everything the rail network does not reach. A standard metro journey costs QR2, and you will never pay more than QR6 in a day in Standard class. Buy a reusable travel card, tap in and out, and you can reach the airport, West Bay, Souq Waqif, Education City and Lusail without a car.
Fares and hours do change, so check Qatar Rail and Mowasalat (Karwa) before you rely on a late train or a specific fare.
Doha Metro: the three lines and where they go
The metro has three lines, all meeting at Msheireb station in the centre of the city.
- Red Line: the one most visitors use. It runs north to south from Lusail through Qatar University, Legtaifiya, Katara, DECC, West Bay, Corniche and Msheireb, then splits towards Hamad International Airport Terminal 1 and down to Al Wakra.
- Green Line: runs east to west from Al Mansoura through Msheireb, Hamad Hospital and Qatar National Library to Education City and Al Riffa on the Dukhan Highway side of the city.
- Gold Line: runs from Ras Bu Aboud through National Museum, Souq Waqif, Msheireb, Al Sadd, Joaan and Sport City to Al Aziziyah.
If you are still deciding which part of the city to base yourself in, our guide to where to stay in Doha covers the neighbourhoods and their nearest stations.
Operating hours
Qatar Rail’s current timetable, in place since 1 January 2025, runs the metro from 5am to 1am Saturday to Thursday, and from 9am to 1am on Fridays. The late Friday start catches a lot of people out, so if you have an early Friday flight, plan on a taxi rather than the train.
Hours change during Ramadan and around major events. In Ramadan 2026, for example, the metro ran from 5:30am to 1:30am Saturday to Thursday and from 9:30am to 1:30am on Fridays. Qatar Rail announces these changes in advance through its app and local media.
Doha Metro fares and travel cards
You pay with a travel card, tapping in at the gate when you enter and tapping out when you leave. There are two reusable cards and a paper option for occasional riders.
| Option | Card cost | Single journey | Daily maximum | Carriages you can use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Travel Card | QR10 | QR2 | QR6 | Standard and Family |
| Goldclub Travel Card | QR100 | QR10 | QR30 | Goldclub |
| Limited Use (paper) ticket | Sold per product | Single journey or day pass | Depends on product | Depends on class bought |
The daily maximum works as a cap: once you have made three journeys, you stop paying for the rest of the day. Reusable cards are valid for five years. Children under five travel free with a paying adult, and older children pay the same fare as adults.
The 30-day MetroPass
If you commute daily, the 30-day MetroPass gives unlimited rides on the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram for QR120. The 30 days start from your first tap at the gate, not from the day you buy it. It is valid in Standard and Family class only and is loaded onto a Standard Travel Card. Other pass lengths have been listed by some guides; check at a station or in the Qatar Rail app for what is on sale when you buy.
Where to buy and top up
- Standard cards: ticket vending machines at every station, and selected retailers.
- Goldclub cards: Goldclub offices inside metro stations only.
- Top-ups: station vending machines, the Qatar Rail website or the Qatar Rail app.
Standard, Family and Goldclub: which carriage to sit in
Each train has three types of carriage, and the doors on the platform are marked so you can line up in the right place.
- Standard: open to passengers with a Standard Travel Card or a valid Standard ticket.
- Family: under Qatar Rail’s user regulations, this is for women travelling alone, children aged nine and over travelling alone, younger children accompanied by someone aged 16 or over, and any man or woman accompanying a child or infant. A man travelling on his own should not sit here.
- Goldclub: larger seats and dedicated entrances, for Goldclub card holders only. A Standard card does not give access to Goldclub sections.
Metro rules worth knowing
Qatar Rail’s regulations are enforced, and a few trip people up:
- Eating is not allowed on trains or within the paid area of stations. Alcohol is banned across the network.
- Always tap in and tap out. If you cannot show a valid ticket, the regulations allow staff to make you buy a new pass, charged at up to the price of a Goldclub adult day pass, and fines can also apply.
- Do not leave bags unattended, and keep luggage out of the way of other passengers.
Lusail Tram
The Lusail Tram serves the city of Lusail, north of West Bay. At the time of writing, three lines are running (Orange, Pink and Turquoise), with a fourth, the Purple Line, still under construction. The Orange and Pink lines connect with the Red Line at Legtaifiya station, and your metro travel card works on the tram too, with the same QR2 fare and QR6 daily cap in Standard class.
From 1 January 2025, Qatar Rail set tram hours at 5am to 1:30am Saturday to Thursday and 2pm to 1:30am on Fridays. The Friday afternoon start matters if you are heading to a Friday brunch in Lusail: the Red Line will get you to Lusail from 9am, but the tram will not be running until 2pm.
Getting to Lusail by metro
- Take the Red Line north towards Lusail.
- For destinations across Lusail served by the tram, change at Legtaifiya and check the tram map for the right line.
- For Qatar University, stay on the Red Line to its own station.
- If your destination is away from a tram stop, check the Karwa Taxi app for a free metroexpress ride from the station (see below).
Msheireb Tram
The Msheireb Tram is a free, short loop of about 2km around the Msheireb Downtown Doha district, with nine stops. It is handy for hopping between the museums, the Heritage Quarter and cafés near Msheireb metro station, but it is not a commuter service. Its hours have been limited compared with the metro, so check the times posted at the stops before planning around it.
Metrolink and metroexpress: the last mile
Many homes and offices in Doha sit a few kilometres from the nearest station. Two services fill that gap.
Metrolink feeder buses
Metrolink buses, run by Mowasalat, link metro stations to surrounding neighbourhoods and are free to ride. You still tap on, using your Doha Metro travel card, a Karwa smartcard, or a QR code from the Karwa Journey Planner app. Mowasalat adds and adjusts routes regularly (two new routes were announced for May 2026, including one between Al Sudan and Sports City stations), so use the Karwa Journey Planner app to find the route nearest you rather than relying on an old map.
Metroexpress
Metroexpress is a free, on-demand shared ride that takes passengers between their home or destination and selected stations. You book it through the metroexpress tab in the Karwa Taxi app, and it is only for people making a metro or tram journey. Coverage has focused on specific areas, including parts of Lusail such as Marina North, Tarfat South, Tarfat North and Al Maha Island, so check in the app whether your address is served.
Karwa buses
Karwa buses, also run by Mowasalat, cover routes across Doha and out to other towns. They are cheaper than taxis but slower than the metro.
Buses use the Karwa smartcard rather than the metro card. Mowasalat has offered three types: a Classic card (QR30, including stored credit), a Limited card (QR10, two journeys within 24 hours) and an Unlimited card (QR20, unlimited journeys within 24 hours). Individual fares within Doha are a few riyals, but they vary by route, so check the Karwa Journey Planner app, which also shows live routes and lets you manage your card.
Karwa taxis and ride-hailing apps
Karwa taxis are the turquoise cabs you will see at ranks outside malls, hotels and the airport. You can also book one in the Karwa Taxi app or by calling Mowasalat on 4458 8888.
Mowasalat does not publish a full fare table on its website. Recent guides commonly quote a QR4 starting fare in Doha, a QR10 minimum fare, a higher per-kilometre rate late at night, and a QR25 starting fare for taxis from Hamad International Airport. Treat these as a guide and check the meter or the app estimate.
Uber, Careem and other local apps also operate in Qatar. They are often the quickest way to reach places with no station nearby, such as parts of the Pearl, beaches or desert trips, and work well paired with the metro: ride the train for the long, traffic-prone stretch and take a car for the last leg.
Common journeys, and how to do them
Airport to West Bay
Follow the signs from arrivals to the Hamad International Airport T1 metro station, buy or top up a card, and ride the Red Line towards Lusail. Get off at West Bay or DECC depending on where your hotel or office is. Check the platform screens to see whether your train runs straight through or needs a change. For an early Friday arrival before 9am, take a Karwa taxi from the Taxi Pavilion at the left end of the arrivals hall, or book a ride-hailing car.
West Bay to Souq Waqif
Take the Red Line to Msheireb and change to the Gold Line for one stop to Souq Waqif. The Gold Line also serves the National Museum of Qatar.
City centre to Education City
Take the Green Line west from Msheireb to Education City. Qatar National Library has its own station one stop earlier.
Public transport or a car?
Public transport works best if you live or work near a station, commute along the Red Line, or visit for a few days. It is less convenient for school runs, trips to the desert or the north, and neighbourhoods far from Metrolink routes. Many residents use the metro for commuting and a car or ride-hailing for everything else. If you are weighing that up, see our car rental guide and the steps for getting a driving licence in Qatar. New arrivals can also add a Standard Travel Card to their moving to Qatar checklist for the first weeks before a car is sorted.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Planning a Friday morning train: the metro starts at 9am and the Lusail Tram at 2pm on Fridays.
- Forgetting to tap out: Qatar Rail requires you to tap at the start and end of every journey.
- Sitting in the wrong carriage: Family and Goldclub sections are enforced.
- Snacking on the train: eating is not allowed in trains or the paid area.
- Using an old Metrolink map: routes change, so check the Karwa Journey Planner app.
- Relying on old timetables: Ramadan and event hours differ from normal hours.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use one card on the metro, tram and buses?
Your Doha Metro travel card works on the metro, the Lusail Tram and Metrolink feeder buses. Regular Karwa buses use the separate Karwa smartcard.
Is the Doha Metro good for visitors?
Yes, for the main sights. The Red Line links the airport, the Corniche, West Bay, Katara and Lusail, and the Gold Line reaches Souq Waqif and the National Museum. Visit Qatar’s Doha Metro page has station information for visitors.
Need a hotel near a metro station, an airport transfer or a tour operator? Browse our directory of travel and hotel businesses in Qatar to compare options and contact them directly.
